Last we heard from Karla Begley, the mother who received an anonymous screed about her autistic son, she was understandably pretty shaken. Despite that police are unable to press any charges at this time, the rallying support from Karla’s community has her talking back. In a response to said anonymous person with “normal children,” to quote their letter, Karla addresses the problem with how the able-bodied often view the disabled. But never does she even bother with any low blows.

On “Love That Max,” a special needs blog described as “about kids with special needs who kick butt,” the mother, who is reportedly in a wheelchair with multiple sclerosis, addresses intolerance and ableism. But more to the point of that original letter, Karla answers some of the writer’s ignorant questions about her son Max‘s care, his place in this world, and his future:

I will not stoop to an insulting level. What I have to say is about tolerance, acceptance and respect for kids with special needs.

Nobody should ever write a letter that hurtful. It describes Max as being “noise polluting” and “a nuisance.” Kids make noise. That’s what kids do. Nuisance is causing a public uproar about it! I remember being a kid and screaming at the top of my lungs with another girl. The problem is that tolerance goes down the second a kid is out there in a yard alone, a kid with special needs, making noise. Those “noises” are the only way my son has to express himself and play…Over the years, people have often said to us “God only gives you what you can handle.” But last night, I said to my husband, “I think God finally thought the Begleys have had enough!” The community rallying around us has been amazing, the outpouring of support is awesome. It puts your faith back in humanity: Yes, people are generally good.

Good for her, this story was horrifying, but she’s definitely proving she’s the bigger person. I’d much rather have a neighbor like her and her son than the asshat who wrote the original note.

Koa_Beck

She seems like an awesome neighbor.

Litterboxjen

“On “Love That Max,” a special needs blog described as “about kids with special needs who kick but,””

I think you mean “who kick butt.” Otherwise, this takes on a different meaning…

Koa_Beck

TY for catching!

Jayamama

She was quoting the blogger. Perhaps you should let Karla know that, instead.

Litterboxjen

Actually, she was quoting the blog’s tagline, which had it as “butt.” I did my research before calling it out.

ElleJai

I grew up across the road from an epileptic kid (who also acquired brain damage from the constant fits and was in an induced coma for three months) who peed on me before a fit, demonstrated his affection by pulling my hair and after the brain damage developed problems with walking and speech.

He was one of my best friends anyway; he referred to me as his girlfriend.

Whoever the letter writer is, I’m sorry her kids are being taught to be so intolerant. And I’m so grateful that my mum, and my family (including the aunt who taught special needs kids) taught me to have respect, kindness, understanding and friendship for everyone. Not just everyone like me.

Ptownsteveschick

I am sure that this letter caused her a lot of pain, but what a lovely person she is to respond this way. I am sure she will have a much happier life than the nasty letter writer, because people like that dwell in misery and she has been able to rise above it despite some hard circumstances.

Jennifer

Wow, she is some sort of superhero!

Aniangel

What an amazing response. I think most of us parents would have screamed, then cried while enjoying a pitcher of our favorite poison, after that some terrible revenge plans, only to cap it off with a hangover.
Maybe I’m giving her to much credit perhaps she did all that then pulled her shit together and chose to be a bigger person. To see so much support for her and her son in the community and online is wonderful. I would love to see that vile monster who wrote the letter fuming over the backlash.

Melissa T

What a hero <3

Fluffy_1

I feel sorry for the “normal” kids of the woman who wrote the letter. Clearly their mother is bringing them up to be just as bigoted and prejudiced as she is.

LoveThatMax

Glad you are spreading Karla’s message. However, the post on my blog was based on an interview I did with her, not a letter. My post has been republished here in its entirety, without permission. Please remove it.